It's hard to find a region more loaded than Class 4A Division I's Region III, where any number of teams could make a state run. The region boasts nine finals appearances and six titles in the last five years, including Navasota's crown last year and Carthage's Div. II-3A (now Div. II-4A) title in 2010 - the same year Tyler Chapel Hill and Henderson met in the Div. I final.

Five story lines to watch

Can Huffman Hargrave hang? This is the test facing one of Houston's top Division I-4A programs: The Falcons have emerged as a consistent power, making seven straight playoff appearances with a high-flying offense, but they'll be hard-pressed to win a bi-district game.

Can the Rattlers repeat? In short, yes. Navasota is coming off its second 16-0 state championship season in three years, and its record-shattering duo of quarterback Shelton Eppler and wide receiver Tren'Davian Dickson is back. Eppler set a single-season state record with 71 touchdown passes last season, and Dickson set state and national marks with 39 receiving TDs.

Will Stafford stay afloat? The Spartans surprised early on last season, going to 4-0 with a big win over Wharton, which was coming off its first victory against El Campo in 13 years. They fell to St. Pius X the next week but finished strong and beat Sealy in the playoffs. The Spartans return only nine starters - though one is talented Hezekiah Jones - but third-year coach Ron Counter has something going.

Is Furr in for an emotional season? Starting quarterback Michael Smith was shot and killed in May, leaving the program reeling over the summer. But longtime coach Cornell Gray said 7-on-7 helped players move forward and rally around new starter Anthony Mata, so he isn't expecting them to be overwhelmed this fall.

Who will emerge as HISD's top team? Furr and Wheatley followed Navasota and Sealy into the playoffs last year from 11-4A, and they figure to fight for the third seed again this season. Wheatley, which returns 14 starters, won 21-19 last year, but Furr was without its top running back.

Players to watch

QB Cody Gaitan, Huffman Hargrave: The prolific 5-9, 170-pound senior threw 33 touchdown passes last season despite missing two of the Falcons' final three games due to injury.

QB Shelton Eppler, Navasota: The 6-1, 185-pound senior has another state record to chase - single-season passing yards. His 5,444 yards last year was No. 2 all-time.

WR Tren'Davian Dickson, Navasota: The 6-0, 170-pound senior is looking for a strong finish after switching his verbal pledge from Baylor to Texas in July.

RB Kevin Dove, El Campo: The 6-1, 230-pound back again spearheads the Ricebirds' bruising offense after rushing for 2,077 yards and 27 scores last season.

ATH JaMarcus Bailey, Furr: The Brahmans will lean even more on the 5-9, 165-pound all-purpose player after tragically losing their quarterback in May.

Must-see games

Navasota at Coldspring, Sept. 11: The Rattlers face perhaps their toughest opponent (they won 35-14 last year) in a bid for another perfect regular season.

El Campo at Bay City, Oct. 23: One of the state's longest running rivalries resumes, though it does with Ricebirds assistant Wayne Condra in charge after Bob Gillis retired in March.

Wheatley vs. Furr, Oct. 9, Cowart: The winner picks up bragging rights in the district. Wheatley scored twice in the fourth quarter to win last year.